INTRODUCTION
In today's world, the environment is uncertain with ever-increasing threats and instabilities. In
response to the needs of America's interests, military operations have deployed water units in support of
combat operations, humanitarian assistance operations, and disaster relief operations. Today's water
support mission demands that we be ready to deploy anywhere in the world and overcome any extreme
conditions that await the water teams.
In Part A of this lesson you will receive information on water supply in the TO. Part B will give you
information on planning water requirements and Part C will cover water quality analysis.
PART A-WATER SUPPLY IN THE THEATER OF OPERATIONS
1. Army Executive Agency Responsibilities. As the land force component of the US military
services, the US Army has been designated as the DOD executive agent for water resources
management in support of contingency operations. Under this role, the Army coordinates with other
services and the Joint Staff to develop joint policy, procedures, and requirements for water management
resources in support of land-based forces. Within Force Projection TO, the Army service component
commander ensures that water support for other services, when required to be provided by the Army, is
incorporated into OPLANS or preplanned with ISSA. In general, the. Army service component is
responsible for providing backup water support to other US military services in an area of operations
when requested and/or when water support requirements of the other services exceed their own organic
capability.
2. Combat Service Support. The ability of the Army to perform its mission rests on sound CSS
planning, timely support, and proper use of CSS resources. The most critical resource is water.
Commanders and staff officers should know the capabilities of their CSS units, as well as the CSS
assistance available from the next higher echelon. The CSS system develops and maintains maximum
combat power by sustaining combat forces. It includes personnel, administration, religion, food, water,
finance, legal, maintenance, medical, supply, transportation, and other personnel and logistical services
and support. The US Army may become involved in a conflict in either of the following scenarios in
which water support will be required.
a. Forward deployed. Support to forward deployed US Army forces normally involves
combined operations in which US forces, predeployed in a foreign country, operate with allied nations
in an established theater. NATO and Korea are examples of where US joint forces are forward-
deployed in a foreign country where an established formal allied command structure exists and where
HNS agreements are in being, PWRMS are in the theater, and the theater water support is set up to
support peace time operations and allow for expansion to support wartime operations.
b. Nonforward deployed. Support to nonforward deployed US forces involves a contingency
operation by which a joint US contingency force, with or without allied assistance, deploys and operates
in a combat zone without a preestablished water support base. It is envisioned that this conflict will
have limited objectives and be of short duration. However, planning for water
QM5204
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